Chain connecter



July 7, 1936. A, ROTH 2,046,488

CHAIN CONNECTER Filed Oct. 20, 1934 fiMM INVENTOR Patented July 7, 1936 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for connecting chains so that the same can be easily and quickly adjusted to different lengths without necessitating the employment of any tools. The invention is especially useful in connection with attaching anti-skid devices to automobile tires and the like, but is not restricted to this particular use.

In carrying out the invention a strip of metal is provided along one edge with notches into which the last link of a chain may be caught and when the location of this link in the first notch does not tighten or adjust the chain to the desired amount, other links of the chain can be caught in other notches for this purpose while the portion of the chain composed of the links nearer the end is prevented from dangling or swinging and rattling objectionably.

The invention will be understood from the descriptien in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the fastening device; Fig. 2 is a corresponding view showing portions of the chain in place and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing adifferent adjustment.

In the drawing reference character I indicates a fiat strip of metal that may be steel or other metal of high tensile strength that is curved so that one edge is convex and the other is slightly concave. A hole 2 is provided near one end of the strip I to which a chain 3, or the like can be conveniently connected in a permanent manner if desired. This hole is preferably nearer to the convex than to the concave edge of the strip.

A series of spaced notches I, that may be parallel to each other, extend from the convex edge of the strip, preferably slightly more than half-way across the strip. These notches 4 are inclined slightly away from the end of the strip where the hole 2 is located. The other end of the strip is pointed, as indicated at 5, and has a sloping convex surface near this end, as shown at 6.

In using the device a chain can be adjusted by threading the end link I thereof over the pointed end 5 of the strip I and dropping this link into one of the notches i that is appropriate for the proper adjustment of the chain. The links of the chain, such as the link i, are of such a size that the strip I can pass into each link, but will be in no danger of being slipped out of the notches 4 when tension is applied to the chain, indicated, for example, in Fig. 2. However, when it is desired to readjust the chain the link 1 can be swung about the bottom of the pivot 4 as an axis and then moved longitudinally so that it can be passed across the projections between the notches, thus adjusting the chain to a different position or to a different degree of tightness.

By having the strip I pointed, as shown at 5, with the slopinconvex surface 6, there is no danger of clothing or other objects catching over the end 5 of the strip so long as tension is applied to the chain, as the back or convex side of the strip lies against the side of the second link 8 from the link I and the edge 3 of the link at the end of the strip I projects upwardly above the surface near the end of the strip, as shown in Fig. 2.

If the chain is not drawn up sufiiciently when the link I is in the notch nearest the hole 2, another link of the chain, such as the link ii], for example, (Fig. 3) can be threaded over the strip I so that this link will drop into the appropriate notch 4, thus adjusting the chain so as to make the same shorter than it could be made by utilizing a link nearer the end of the chain.

In cases where a link away from the end is used for adjusting the chain, as shown in Fig. 3, the end link I is first threaded on to the strip I and is dropped into one of the notches, thus holding the end of the chain so that it does not swing or rattle.

Even when the end 5 of the strip I does not extend to a point intermediate the ends of a link that is in a plane parallel to the plane of the strip, as shown in Fig. 5, it extends to a point intermediate the ends of a link that is in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the strip, as shown in Fig. 2, this point 5 does not project outwardly so that there would be danger of catching the clothing or other objects against the end of this strip.

, Whether the chain is connected, as shown in Fig. 2, or in Fig. 3, there is at all times a projecting portion of a link against which the back or concave edge of the strip I can contact so that the likelihood of the point 5 turning farther downwardly than the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is obviated. The point where tension is applied to the strip I when the chain is in place, namely the bottom of the notch t Where the link I (or [9) is connected, lies above a line connecting the hole 2 with the part of this link I (or Ill) that contacts with the lower edge of the strip I, so that tension on the chain tends to turn the strip I anti-clockwise about the opening 2 or end link 3 with the result that the link I is kept in position where the end 5 does not project outwardly into an objectionable position.

I claim:

1-. In combination, a chain and a connecter, said connecter extending through a link of said chain and having a notch into which said link rests and said chain having another link extending across one edge of said connecter and contacting therewith when tension is applied to the chain.

2. In combination, a chain and a connecter, said connecterhaving a pointed end and extending through a plurality of links of said chain and having notches into which said links rest, one of said links through which said connecter extends being at the end of said chain and at least one link of said chain being connected between said end link and another link of said chain through which said connecter extends.

the next link with a side against the edge of said strip opposite said notches when tension is applied to said chain.

. ADOLPH F. ROTH. 

